Right now my novel is on a 37 stop book tour - here are some of the questions and topics for discussion I've gotten from some of my book reviewers.

A psychological thriller set within the sound of the surfOften when we think of the beach we think of a place of tranquility and refreshing. But I’ve used this setting to create a mystery of intrigue that even the gentle lapping of waves against the shore cannot dispel. I’ve wondered what would happen if I put my “everyman”, comfortably ensconced in the idyllic world of San Diego beach life and brought some of the unfinished business from his past back into his life. What will he do when confronted with the ghost of his younger years and hopes of success in the dog eat dog world of competitive real estate development in this southern California city. What will he do when his dreams run into the reality of the nightmares of his past.

Never thought this idyllic setting would work for a mystery I love this wonderful city where I’ve lived for 30 plus years. The beach, the great weather, the great people. But I’m fascinated how all this idyllic world can be the perfect setting for mystery and intrigue. By putting the nightmare of unresolved issues from my character’s past and his hope of success here in San Diego, I’ve been able to create a story of intrigue and fascination that will leave the reader wondering right up until the last page. Building suspense can be a suspenseful processThe writer is always challenged with the tasks of creating suspense if they’re writing a mystery. But as I put the details of this story together I was personally amazed as the story built on itself to its surprising end. But in the process, I was faced with some big challenges. How do you take your average real estate developer and put him in a place where his life is suddenly turned around and he’s left in a state of uncertainty about his future? No, it’s not just having the bottom fall out of the market. No, it’s something completely different. You bring his past crashing down on him just as his dream project starts to come to fruition. Then you throw in a romantic element, not merely because you want to make the story more marketable but because it really works and it’s true to life. So how do you build the suspense? You reveal that current nightmares are not just dreams but a reality that you tried to forget and now it’s rushing back into your world and you can’t control it.It’s great when your friends really like your novelI’ve been amazed at my friend’s response to my novel. A lot of times, as an author, you have those friends who encourage you to develop your gift. They praise your writing, but you wonder if it’s sincere. Well when I released my latest novel I asked them to read it and give me their honest opinion. Well, when they started putting their reviews on the Amazon page where my book is marketed I was really stunned. So many of them gave their honest and eloquent opinions. There they were, those 4 and 5 stars. Not there merely because I was their friend but because the story really gripped them, and they couldn’t put it down. I was wowed and thankful. Now I just hope those readers who don’t know me will be equally impressed.A mystery novel that’s not a detective tale or a story of international intrigue. Some of the most intriguing stories are those that arise out of the lives of people that at first seem ordinary and boring. Hitchcock knew how to take the quintessential “everyman” and suddenly put him in a world of conspiracy or terror and then let him struggle his way to a hair-raising escape. Somehow, I think such stories strike a chord with the “everyman” in each of us. The protagonist in my latest novel, Boy On The Beach is one such character. His somewhat, predictable world is suddenly turned upside down as ghosts from his past suddenly arise to haunt him. He’s soon set on a path that will lead him to the edge of terror but have the potential to end in a revelation he could have never imagined. No, Boy On The Beach, is not a detective tale or a tale of international intrigue but an “everyman” story that once you’ve gotten into it, will have you finding it hard to put down.

Tell us about your publishing experienceI’ve been writing for publication since 1978, when my first novel was published by a major publishing house. The book did ok, but most of the revenues I received did not come from royalties but from the books I personally sold as I traveled and spoke at different venues around the country. Subsequently this was my experience in the following two books I wrote. I have a friend that is a big-time writer and has written well over a dozen books. His royalties have been less than spectacular. But now that he’s gotten the copyrights back for his books, and self-published them he’s had a steady and increasing source of revenue. There’s much to be said for having a major publisher take your book and put all their resources and publicity behind it but those sorts of opportunities are few and far between. Of course, the field of self-publishing has flooded the market with books. Therefore, many budding writers may be disappointed that they don’t immediately have readers rushing to read their books. Virtual book tours are one avenue that allow self-published writers a unique outlet for their stories. That’s why I’m glad for the virtual tour opportunities that different marketers are providing. I’m hoping this will result in a real exposure for my latest novel. My advice to self-published authors is use the resource of virtual book tours. It will cost you money but if you’ve already invested your time and effort to write your book why not put some money behind it as well.

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R.D. Maddux

R. D. Maddux is an author who's lived in San Diego since 1987. He's set his latest novel on the west coast of California and put it's protagonist in the midst of one of the greatest moral issues that faces our culture today. ​